The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, demanding that he formally resign from the party.
This follows Obi’s decision to join the opposition coalition platform led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi was officially introduced on Wednesday as a key figure in the ADC-led coalition, formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In a statement from Abuja on Thursday, Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, criticized the coalition, calling it a “gathering of power mongers” and accusing Obi of holding “dual political loyalties.”
“We know about several secret meetings between Peter Obi and some of our members, trying to convince them to defect to his new party. Many have refused,” Ifoh said.
He emphasized that Labour Party is not part of the coalition and will not tolerate members with “dual agendas” or “deceptive personas.” The party demands that any member participating in the coalition resign within 48 hours.
Ifoh dismissed Obi’s “new Nigeria” slogan as unrealistic, attributing it to “recycled, desperate, and frustrated politicians.” He argued that Nigeria’s youth who make up nearly 70% of the population want a real change achievable only through the Labour Party.
The LP leadership, under Abure, urged members to stay loyal, affirming their commitment to building a progressive, youth-driven political movement.
Obi’s coalition includes notable figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rauf Aregbesola.
The coalition’s leadership, unveiled Wednesday, named former Senate President David Mark as interim chairman and Aregbesola as secretary.
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